Terms & Conditions
All offers of a place are subject to UCD's Terms and Conditions of Offer.
The purpose of this page is to help you understand the RPL (Recognition of Prior and Concurrent Learning) Policy and the steps needed to complete your RPL application. | ![]() |
Recognition of Prior and Concurrent Learning (RPL) is defined as: “a process by which learning is formally identified, assessed and given a value”.
Please ensureyou have read this guide and the Recognition of Prior and Concurrent Learning Policyand confirm with your Programme/School Office that RPL applications to have prior learning recognised to count towards the credit requirements of your programme are accepted by the Board governing your programme.
UCD encourages lifelong learning and provides the opportunity for prior and concurrent learning to be recognised. Students can apply to have prior and concurrent learning recognised for the purposes of admission into a UCD programme of study, or credit applied towards a UCD programme of study (for example to replace elective credits in a Stage), or transfer into or between UCD programmes. The Recognition of Prior and Concurrent Learning Policy, and all supporting documentation, applies to all UCD programmes at undergraduate and graduate levels.
If you would like to have prior or concurrent learning recognised to count towards your UCD programme you should complete the RPL application form if:
Receiving an offer of admission to a programme is not a guarantee that you will be successful in any RPL application to have learning recognised
Please note:
This does not relate to using RPL to meet the admissions requirements of a programme.If you are a prospective student seeking admission to UCD and you do not meet the required admissions criteria as set down for a particular programme of study in UCD, you may apply to be admitted based on prior learning, including experiential learning, or as a mature student.
This does not relate to using RPL for approved pathway programmes.Please contact your Programme/School Office to find out if it is relevant to your application.
An application for RPL should be madeas early as possibleand preferably before you commence the relevant module/stage/programme.
If you submit an RPL application relating to a particular module(s)after the module(s) has commenced you should register for, attend and participate in the module(s) until you are informed of the decision of the Board governing your programme. If your application is not successful, you are responsible for all assessments associated with the module(s).
You mayexpect to hearof the outcome or status of your application typically within four weeks of submitting it.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. It is your responsibility as an applicant to ensure you supply all necessary supporting evidence and documentation and sign the form as required.
The possible outcomes of an RPL application:
Receipt of RPL credit for a UCD programmemay disqualify you from being eligible for medals or prizeswhich are offered by the programme – for further information regarding this, check with the Programme Office.
The amount of credit based on prior or concurrent learningthat you may have recognised towards your UCD programme is determined by the Board governing your programme. The evidence of learning that you provide in your application will be compared to the published learning outcomes for the programme/modules for which you seek to have learning recognised. The Programme Board will determine whether you have achieved the learning outcomes that you would have achieved by fulfilling all requirements of the UCD programme of study. The module descriptor/programme can be accessed from the search webpage.
All offers of a place are subject to UCD's Terms and Conditions of Offer.
All students must comply with the general regulations of the university.